Chapter 7

Don Kennedy had heard the rumours circulating inside the company. Normally, he will not pay attention to anything if it’s not related to business nor he would not gain any profit. But the fact that the subject of the malicious humours was his grandson, he cannot just sit back and relax. He needed to see for himself what his good-for-nothing grandson had done once again.

His grandson, Keith Harris, was unmistakably a protege. He handled the business more than he expected. He had sent the KH Development Group to the peak of its success. Only the flaw of his grandson was his unfruitful marriage with his wife, Amanda Munoz.

He may have imposed the marriage on his grandson but Don Kennedy expects that things will turn around. He had a keen eye for a person with good character and he knew that among all the women Keith had dated, Amanda was different. No matter what circumstances brought her to his grandson, he took his chances.

And then after three long years, he’ll be hearing this humours of infidelity! And Keith with another woman! He had to know the truth.

That morning, Don Kennedy told his chauffeur to take him to Keith's office. While travelling at the back seat of his Rolls Royce, he kept convincing himself that none of those maligned humours are true. Keith would never tarnish their surname nor the legacy he had built for years.

Every employee knows the founder of the KH Development Group and they are petrified to see him in the flesh inside the office. On instinct, everyone bowed to the known ruthless CEO before Keith Harris.

Don Kennedy traversed the same old hallway towards his office, now his grandson’s. Alan, Keith’s assistant, was talking to the secretary when their eyes met. And just like the rest, the man was horrified to see him around.

“Greetings, Don Kennedy,” Alan got in his way and was trying to stop him. He looked like a mouse cornered by a notorious cat. “Sir Keith wasn’t in the office—”

“Then I’ll wait inside—” He barged inside Keith’s office unannounced only to be utterly surprised by his brazen act any credible businessman would be ashamed to commit inside their office.

Keith saw him, and as if his grandson was struck by the lightning, his eyes widened, petrified to see him. When the bastard realised what he’d done, he quickly fixed himself and covered the woman that was lying in his table.

The woman complained and stood beside Keith, still oblivious of his presence. She practically bared it all that his eyes had seen enough. When she finally learned of his existence, the woman screamed and took cover behind his grandson’s back.

Not that she matters. What really disappointed him the most was to see Keith on the act, and with another woman! Had he no shame!

Don Kennedy locked the door behind and walked towards his grandson. Keith was feigning his courage while protecting the woman behind him who fixed herself immediately. Before his grandson could utter any lame excuse to cover up his uncalled act, he slapped him hard using the back of his hand.

The woman shrieked as Keith held his swollen face. “Grandfather—”

“I’ve seen what I have to see, Keith,” He grabbed his grandson’s face and squeezed it hard. Don Kennedy looked straight into Keith’s eyes who showed nothing but fear. He despises such weakness when he was this bold to disgrace his name he’d built for years. “I’m utterly disappointed in what you’ve become…”

“And to think that I’ve entrusted the company into the hands of an adulterer!” and he threw him drastically on the cold floor.

Don Kennedy may be old. But age is just a number. He could still beat the hell out of his grandson.

The woman instantly kneels beside Keith. Both were frightened by his display of power.

“Grandpa, please let me explain—”

“What’s there to explain, Keith?” Don Kennedy looked around the office. Not much had changed except for the fact that he’s no longer in the position. It holds so many memories. Memories that the rascal had dared tainted with his idiocy. “Isn’t what I saw enough for me to know that you’ve taken things lightly?”

“Have you forgotten the fact that you are a married man?”

“Sir—”

“I didn’t ask you to speak, woman,” his voice boomed at the four corners of the office. His eyes glared at the filth beside Keith. “Your mere existence doesn't count you for it…”

“Don’t think highly for a second that you belong here,” he glowered down at the woman. “Because you will never be.”

He turned away from them as his grandson consoled the woman. Water works never work for him. For Don Kennedy, a man who was easily swayed by tears showed nothing but frailty. And any sign of weakness was never good in running the business.

“I am so sorry, honey,” Don Kennedy rolled his eyes at the theatrics behind. He couldn't take the drama and turned to them to settle everything straight.

“Stop this nonsense, Keith,” he pointed out to his grandson as he gave his absolute order. “Leave that woman and save your marriage.”

“Have some decency and man up to your actions, you fool!”

Keith stood up and protected the woman from him. “I am, Grandpa…”

“I am making things right. And I will start by making Sarah my wife.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Don Kennedy was enraged by what he’d heard from his insolent mouth that he had caught the collar of his polo and drugged his grandson closer. “Pray that I misheard it, Keith, or else—”

“It’s the truth, Grandpa,” Keith tried to convince him. “I already divorced Amanda. The papers are already in the court. Soon, I’ll be a free man—”

“Such impertinence!” He slapped his grandson once again. The fool wasn’t even thinking of the consequences. Keith and his stupid ego. “You do not know what you are talking about.”

“I do, Grandpa.” Keith answered in a firm voice.

He shook his head. “You do not, Keith Harris. I can’t imagine you really are my grandson…”

“You may be more intelligent than your father. I really have high hopes for you. But then you are indeed his son, when it always comes to women, you are both stupid!”

“What is this woman compared to Amanda Munoz?”

~*~

His grandfather had always been hard to please. So Keith had to work even hard just to prove himself that he’s indeed born to take the position. That it’s not because he married Amanda that he was able to get hold of the CEO seat. But to Don Kennedy, his efforts were not enough. That there is still a lot to be done.

And now they’re come to this. Keith wasn’t expecting his grandfather’s arrival and saw that scene. Don Kennedy wasn’t supposed to see that and it worsened the situation. Now, he’s facing the wrath of the ruthless former CEO.

He knew this would be the reaction of his grandfather but not this extreme. He can take all the insults. All was his fault alone. But to drag Sarah into his enrage was something Keith couldn’t let pass.

He wouldn’t allow any man, even if it’s his own grandfather, to belittle the one he loved.

“Sarah is the woman that I love, Grandpa,” he took a few steps to come closer to Don Kennedy. Keith should never get fazed at the animosity his grandfather throws at him. “I did everything for her.”

“I did my best to get this business to where it is right now. All was to prove to her family that I am deserving of their only daughter.”

Sarah was the reason why he was working hard. He hadn’t realized it until later when they finally reconciled. That even after all these years, he was trying to be the best man for the love he thought he’d lost. Unconsciously, he thrives to be better at his field for that woman. And that was Sarah. And Sarah alone.

Keith was dumbfounded when his grandfather laughed. His laughter was literally mocking him and his resolve.

“Don’t make me laugh, Keith. You are a businessman and yet you didn’t do your research?” His forehead creased at Don Kennedy’s remark.

“What do you know about this woman you called Sarah, hmm? Did she tell you that she’s the daughter of the Ferrers of Ferrer Properties? Is that what she told you?” His grandfather threw a knowing look to Sarah.

Keith looked back and he saw Sarah turned pale. She immediately cling to his arms, her eyes seeking protection from his grandfather.

“Ask her what her true identity is. Is she really the true Sarah Ferrer, the only daughter and heir of Ferrers?”

Keith sighed heavily and looked again to his grandfather with firm resolve. He held Sarah’s hand as he defended her with his whole life.

“There’s nothing you can say that can change my mind, Grandpa,” Keith mustered all the courage he could to face his grandfather head on. “No matter what you say, divorce is already in process. Amanda and I…we already separated and can never be together again.”

“And Sarah will be my wife whether you like it or not. I will marry this woman beside me whether she’s Sarah Ferrer or not.”

“Amanda, even if we're not together, you still got the guts to ruin me in the face of my grandfather,” he was gritting his teeth as he cursed at her name in his head. “Damn you!”

Kennedy Harris was known to be a tyrant but for the love of his life, Keith will protect her no matter what. He’ll be willing to fight his grandfather head on if that would mean that he could be with Sarah. He wouldn’t allow anyone to come their way again.

He would never be apart again to the woman who gave him another meaning to his life.

“Honey, can you leave us for now,” Keith turned to Sarah and smiled at her, telling that everything will be alright. “Let me deal with my grandfather first.”

“Don’t worry. Everything will be alright. I’ll be home soon.”

Sarah shook her head. There were tears strolling down her face as she caressed his. “I am sorry for putting you in this kind of situation.” She apologized. He wiped those tears away.

“Hush, now. Just keep in mind that I love you so damn much that everything doesn't matter as long as I’m with you. You are all that I need.” He kissed Sarah’s lip and bid his goodbye. Sarah was adamant to leave but was left with no choice.

Now, he’s standing in front of Don Kennedy. He can face his grandfather without thinking of any casualty.

There was deafening silence between them. His old man sighed, breaking the inevitable confrontation.

“You set your eyes over a bronze rather than a precious gold, how pathetic could that be, Keith,” Don Kennedy massaged both his temples as he took his seat in one of the couches. “I think I didn’t make myself clear.”

“You need to leave that woman whether you like it or not. Or have you forgotten the stipulations of the contract before you took over the company?

Keith was confused. What could his grandfather be referring to?